As Trump pushed mines to increase production, protections for black lung victims stalled

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9. Coal Prices Are Down +10% Over The Last Year

Increasing production in a market that is already down will push prices down even further and lower profits. Unless people/power plants burn more coal, then producing more coal is only going to make it harder for companies to turn a profit. And when coal mining is less profitable, safety measures are usually the first things to be cut.

If the government is still paying out disability for black lung, then at least these folks will get something to support them when they can no longer work. Coal mining is so automated now, there are far fewer coal miners than there were 50 years ago.